Best Referral Programmes for UK Accountants (2026)
A guide to the partner and referral programmes UK accountants can earn from, covering Xero, Sage, Tide, Starling, FreeAgent, and more.
The best referral programmes for UK accountants (2026)
— by Sam Green
A guide to the partner and referral programmes UK accountants can use to earn revenue from client introductions, covering software, banking, lending, and payments.
Last updated: 20 March 2026. Programme details change regularly. Always check the provider's website for current terms before recommending anything to your clients.
Most accountants already refer clients to software providers, banks, and financial services firms. The question is whether those introductions are earning your practice anything in return.
A growing number of UK businesses offer formal partner and referral programmes specifically for accountants. Some pay commission. Others offer subscription discounts you can pass on (or keep as margin). A few provide revenue share arrangements that grow with your client base.
This guide covers the programmes worth knowing about in 2026, grouped by category, with verified details on what each one actually offers.
Quick comparison
| Provider | Category | What you earn | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xero | Accounting software | Subscription margin (15-30%) | Buy client subscriptions at partner discount, bill clients at retail |
| QuickBooks | Accounting software | Points-based rewards + discounts | ProAdvisor programme with tiered benefits based on client volume |
| FreeAgent | Accounting software | Tiered subscription discounts | Discounts increase as you add more clients to your Practice Dashboard |
| Sage | Accounting software | 10% of Year 1 subscription value | Referral commission on new Sage product sign-ups |
| Dext | Receipt capture | 1 free month per referral | Refer other accountants to Dext; both parties get a free month |
| Starling Bank | Business banking | Negotiated per partner | Personalised referral links, dedicated partnership contact |
| Tide | Business banking | Negotiated per partner | Tailored commission structure based on referral volume |
| iwoca | SME lending | Commission per funded client | Introducer portal for submitting and tracking client applications |
| GoCardless | Payment collection | Referral bonuses + 90 days fee-free for clients | Ambassador programme with co-branded marketing materials |
Accounting software programmes
Xero Partner Programme
Xero's partner programme is free to join and has five tiers: Partner, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. You move up based on how many Xero clients you manage.
The commercial model is margin-based. You buy client subscriptions at a partner discount (typically 15-30% below retail price) and bill your clients directly. The margin is yours to keep. Higher tiers unlock bigger discounts.
Beyond the margin, all partners get a free Xero subscription for their own practice, access to Xero HQ for managing clients in one place, and a listing in the Xero Adviser Directory once certified. The certification is free and done online.
For smaller clients, Xero Ledger is available to partners at a reduced rate, making it viable to serve clients who would not justify a full Xero subscription.
QuickBooks ProAdvisor Programme
QuickBooks runs a points-based partner programme through QuickBooks Online Accountant, which is free to sign up for. You earn points by adding client subscriptions and completing certifications. Points unlock tiered benefits including deeper discounts, priority support, and marketing materials.
The Find-a-ProAdvisor directory gives certified accountants a free listing visible to small businesses searching for an accountant. Two certification levels are available, both free.
The revenue model is similar to Xero: discounted client subscriptions with the margin retained by your practice.
FreeAgent Partner Programme
FreeAgent's partner programme gives accountants access to a Practice Dashboard for managing client accounts. Client subscription pricing follows a sliding scale: the more active clients you add, the better the per-client rate.
One thing worth noting: NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank, and Mettle account holders get FreeAgent for free. If a significant portion of your client base banks with NatWest Group, they may already have access at no cost.
The programme is free to join with no setup fees.
Sage Accountant Partner Programme
Sage offers referral commission of 10% of the first year's subscription value when you refer a new client to a Sage product. Beyond commission, partners get a free profile in Sage's online directory, specialist training and certification, and 24/7 UK-based support.
The programme is free to join and includes access to Sage's practice management tools.
Dext Partner Programme
Dext's referral model is practice-to-practice. When you refer another accountant or bookkeeper to Dext, both you and the referred firm get one free month (capped at £500). There is no limit on how many referrals you can make.
Dext also runs a three-tier certification programme (Partner, Pioneer, Pro) based on how actively your practice uses the product. Higher tiers unlock additional features and support.
Banking partner programmes
Starling Bank
Starling's accountant partnership programme provides personalised referral links and QR codes so you can track which clients you introduce. Partners get a dedicated contact at Starling, product training for their team, and marketing materials.
Commission terms are not published openly. They are agreed individually with each partner based on the size of your practice and expected referral volume. Contact their partnerships team directly to discuss terms.
Tide
Tide runs a partner programme for accountants with what they describe as competitive tailored incentives and commission structures. Like Starling, the specific commission rates are negotiated individually rather than published as a fixed schedule.
The programme includes a referral tracking dashboard and is free to join. Tide's focus is SME banking, which aligns well with most accountancy client bases.
Lending and payments
iwoca
iwoca offers an introducer programme for accountants whose clients need business finance. You get access to a web-based portal for submitting and tracking client applications. Products include flexible loans from £1,000 to £1,000,000 with repayment terms from one day to 24 months and no early repayment penalties.
Commission is paid per funded client. You do not need FCA authorisation to refer clients through iwoca's programme, as iwoca handles the regulated lending activity.
GoCardless
GoCardless runs an Accountancy Ambassador Programme. Referred clients get 90 days fee-free on GoCardless, and referral bonuses are available. The programme includes co-branded marketing materials, product training, and invitations to exclusive events.
Selected ambassadors can join GoCardless's Partner Advisory Committee, which gives input into product development.
How to think about referral revenue
Not every programme on this list will suit every practice. The ones worth pursuing depend on your client base, the products you already recommend, and how much time you want to spend managing referral relationships.
A few things to consider:
- Start with what you already recommend. If you are already telling clients to use Xero or open a Starling account, you may as well earn something for those introductions.
- Margin models vs commission models. Software programmes like Xero and QuickBooks let you earn margin on every client, every month. Banking and lending programmes tend to pay one-off or volume-based commissions. Both have value, but margin models compound over time.
- Compliance matters. If you are referring clients to regulated financial products, ICAEW's DPB handbook applies. Make sure you understand your disclosure obligations and keep proper records. Our guide to referral fee disclosure covers the detail.
- Track everything. The value of referral revenue is hard to justify if you cannot measure it. Use a system that records every referral, its source, and its outcome.
If you want a single place to manage all your referral relationships, track introductions, and stay compliant, RQ is built for exactly this. It helps professional services firms manage referrals properly, with a full audit trail and visibility across every introduction.